The history of churches in the Ulyanovsk region reflects the history of the entire country. The imperial era, turbulent revolutionary years, the godless Soviet period, and finally, a return to faith. Previously, every village considered it important to build a church. Now, not everywhere is there even a small church, but their number is growing: old ones are being restored, new ones are being built. Each church has its own history and soul, but they share a common fate.

The oldest churches are no more than two to three centuries old. Initially, they were built of wood, but they often burned down. Then they were constructed from brick with funds from merchants, nobles, and parishioners, considering it a good deed. The mortar was made with chicken eggs, which ensured the strength of the masonry. During the Soviet years, there were attempts to destroy churches with tractors, but unsuccessfully. They would knock down crosses, topple bells, and shoot at frescoes and icons.

The church in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Nova Maina of the Meleksessky district was luckier: it housed a hospital and a school.

There were people who restored churches brick by brick. In 1899, during the construction of the Christ the Savior Church in the village of Lebyazhye, parishioners themselves fired the bricks and brought them. And ten years ago, to acquire icons for the restored church in Nova Maina, parishioners sold excess produce from their gardens.